Incidence of knee injuries and the need for further care. A one-year prospective follow-up study.

All visits to physicians paid due to knee injuries in the Orivesi Region Federation of Municipalities for Public Health Work in Finland were prospectively recorded over a period of one year. The visits totalled 360, which accounted for 1.0% of all visits. The number of patients was 148, and the total incidence rate of knee injuries was 1.1% corresponding to that during one year period every hundredth inhabitant sought medical treatment from a physician because of a knee injury. Forty-eight per cent of the knee injuries were sustained in sports activities. The injuries affected mostly knee ligaments and/or menisci. Every tenth visit led to a surgical consultation for assessment of the need for surgery, equalling three patients per 1000 inhabitants annually. The study provides basic information concerning the occurrence of knee injuries and the need for further care. The results can be used as an aid in the planning of arthroscopy as well as other examination and treatment resources of knee injuries as well as in the assessment of need for such services.